On the grasslands north of Bingzhou, a troop, bathed in the morning sunlight, trudged through the dew-laden grass and slowly made its way toward the border of the Han Dynasty.
Looking around, the group included not only Han soldiers but also more than 300 Xianbei soldiers.
This team was led by Chu Qian, who was in charge of the mission to the Xianbei. After more than two months of hardships and dangers, Chu Qian led his men and finally approached the border of the Han Dynasty.
"Phew, finally almost home!"
Looking at the map and confirming his location, Chu Qian finally breathed a sigh of relief. Gazing at the familiar landscape in the distance, Chu Qian's face was full of joy.
"Minister Taihang, we are now less than seventy li from Jiuyuan in Bingzhou. We should be able to arrive before sunset!"
"Yes! After being away for so long, I can finally get a good night's sleep at home. Tell the brothers to speed up the march!"
Chu Qian smiled and nodded. The closer he got to his homeland, the more anxious he became.
"promise!"
The soldier received the order and then relayed Chu Qian's command. The entire team immediately sped up and headed towards the territory of the Great Han.
Meanwhile, Lü Bu and Gao Shun, who had already finished their mission of clearing Juyan, also led their troops toward the Bingzhou camp.
After traveling for more than ten days, Lü Bu and Gao Shun's troops finally appeared on the official road ten miles away from the Bingzhou camp.
Upon receiving the news, Zhang Huan led his officers and soldiers to the camp to greet them.
"General, Fengxian and the others are back!"
Before long, Lu Bu, Gao Shun, and the others came into Zhang Huan's sight.
Meanwhile, Lü Bu and Gao Shun, who were at the front of the column, also spotted Zhang Huan outside the camp and hurriedly broke away from the column to ride forward.
Upon approaching, Lü Bu and Gao Shun quickly dismounted and bowed to Zhang Huan.
"This humble general pays his respects to the general!"
"Haha~, very well, Fengxian and Gongren, no need for formalities!"
After helping the two men up, Zhang Huan looked at his two generals with a hearty smile.
"General, I have failed in my command this time, resulting in heavy casualties among the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry. I beg you to punish me... and I further request that you remove me from my post as Wolf Cavalry General!"
Upon seeing Zhang Huan's warm welcome, Lü Bu couldn't help but think of the more than seven hundred brothers who had died in battle, and his face was filled with self-reproach and guilt.
"Your title of Wolf Cavalry General was bestowed by His Majesty, and I have no authority to dismiss you!"
Seeing Lü Bu's appearance, Zhang Huan couldn't help but shake his head.
"Furthermore, war always results in death. Although Fengxian made a mistake in command due to impulsiveness, he only needs to remember not to repeat it next time."
If we blame ourselves too much for this and lose our fighting spirit and choose to retreat, wouldn't those brothers have died in vain?
How can you give up so easily? How can you face His Majesty's high regard for you? How can you follow His Majesty in future campaigns?
Zhang Huan already knew about Lü Bu's situation in Juyan, but he didn't say much, instead offering kind words of encouragement.
The growth of a general always comes at a price.
"General...! Your humble servant..."
Zhang Huan's words deeply moved Lü Bu. Thinking of the emperor, who was thousands of miles away but always concerned about him, Lü Bu felt ashamed.
"Alright, you're still young, and you have a long road ahead of you. Remember the Battle of Juyan, and use it as motivation to move forward!"
Zhang Huan then stepped forward and patted Lü Bu on the shoulder, looking at Lü Bu like an elder.
Zhang Huan's encouragement and loving gaze startled Lü Bu, reminding him of the looks his father and master had once given him.
"This humble general will heed your teachings! I will never back down easily in the future! I will never fail His Majesty and the general's trust!"
In fact, Lü Bu had already figured out all of this on the way back from Juyan, and he understood the principle that "one general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand soldiers".
However, Lü Bu was proud, or rather, lonely. It was one thing for him to understand things on his own, but it was another for others to enlighten him.
On the surface, Lü Bu appears very cold and aloof, as if he is unapproachable. However, he has a very soft heart. Having suffered the massacre of his family, Lü Bu longs for kinship and the love of his loved ones more than anyone else.
Zhang Huan's words have now completely resolved Lü Bu's inner conflict, allowing him to transform his self-blame and guilt into motivation to move forward.
"Haha~ Good to know. Let's go back to camp. I will personally host a victory celebration banquet for you tonight!"
Seeing that Lü Bu had regained his former confidence, Zhang Huan was overjoyed.
After returning to the main camp and settling his subordinates in, Lü Bu immediately went to Lü Zhen's courtyard.
When Lü Bu first met Lü Zhen, she was already several months old. Now, according to her actual age, Lü Zhen is one and a half years old.
Therefore, at this time, Lü Zhen could not only walk steadily on her own, but also accurately call out everyone's name.
The weather was lovely today, so Yan Jin brought Lü Zhen to play in the courtyard.
Like any toddler who has just learned to walk, Lü Zhen started running with her arms outstretched as she walked.
"Zhen'er, slow down, don't run!!"
Fearing that Lü Zhen might fall, Yan Jin smiled and shook his head, then helplessly jogged behind her.
There's a saying that goes, "A child's temper is like that." The more you chase her, the more she thinks you're teasing her, so she runs away faster.
"Giggle~!"
When Lü Zhen, who was running ahead, heard Yan Jin's shout, she turned around and saw Yan Jin chasing after her. Lü Zhen also sped up and ran forward, laughing happily as she ran.
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